Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-10-24

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most childish pleasure in her presence,
but spoke little. She read TO him,
and tried to pray. The effort did her
good; she could only hope it did him
good also. He left no parting in
junction which she might find hard
to disregard. She was free to choose
her own path in life.
Lord Haworth was in debt, and
the creditors took a good deal of what
he left. That troubled his daughter
but little. She could even bear her
mothers complaints, and, later on,
her reprOaches, for beside her fathers
death bed she had found Friend to
Whom she might bring all her trou-
bles. Looking back, she could thank
Him for His guiding to that quiet ru-
raj scene where her slumbering con-
science was awakened.
She saw Major Durant more than
| once. He had been frequent in his
inquiries during Lord Haworth's ill
ness, and made one of the mourners
at the funeral. Then followed a Wis
it or two of coincidence, and he SEEM
ed to pass out of her life.
But she heard of him often. He
had left the army, and was acllnowl-
edged as his uncle's heir. Now Miss
Durant wrote that he was in the
country; again, his name appeared
in the religious papers as the leader
of good movements in town. Social
reforms and religious revivals alike
appeared to be ascribed to his infu-
ence. His time, energy, and money
were freely given to every righteous
cause. On committees, the chairman
Of young mems associations, presi-
dent of mechanics Institutes, he seem
ed to be everywhere, and equal to
anything.
May watched his public career with
profound admiration, wonder, and
envy. He was a laborer in the great
harvest-field indeed. But did he ever
''dream the old dream?" she wonder
ed No; his life was too well-flled
his heart must be satisfied.
1t is a poor room in an old tene-
ment house, and beside low bed, on
which lies the wasted form of boy,
kneels May Haworth.
''You are going home, Willie," she
is saying "you will soon be gather
ed in. The Good Shepherd will
'gather the lambs in his arms'-His
own arms, dear Willie, which were
once stretched out upon the cross
'and carry them in his bosom Heav-
en- is better than earth"
He told me So" murmured the
boy. ''He told me them very good
words when he took me away from
the man that beat me, when we was
down among the hay, and the sun
was shinin ON, so bright -
A step at the door, but May did
not raise her head. Her young pro-
tege had often raved thus Of an un-
known friend, whom he had appar-
emily seen but once, somewhere down
in the country.
''My boy, is it so / have found
you? Do you know me 2
A light flashes over the dying face
Mays head droops lower.
cit is him - exclaims the boy, as
a tall figure advances from the gloom
and stands beside the bed. 81 told
We he'd come l asked God to send
him. Give over the light; ! cant
just see him."
''But you see the Lord?"
eyes, oh yes He is standing with
His arm QUITO gather"
Before he could finish the sentence
he was "gathered in"
Then May lifted herself up very
tenderly, and placed herself in a
chair, while the strange gentleman
gave directions to the poor, pale
mother, placing money on the table.
After this a neighbor came in, few
solemn words were spoken, a prayer
was offered, and May was free to 90.
She turned away with an aching
heart, awed and overcome. She tot
tered as she walked, but her hand
was placed upon a strong arm.
"Did you know the boyF' she
forced herself to ask, as they found
themselves in the street.
81 met him once-the evening /
first saw you in the country" Major
Durant replied. sit was to save him
| stayed at the village inn. But he
was stolen away by cruel master,
and | have been unable to trace him
until to-day"
There was a long silence after that.
May began to think he would not
speak again, when he softly said
"May, have / not found with the |
boy that has gone TO heaven the /
crowning blessing of my life!"
"What" she whispered.
"My wife. Dearer a thousand /
times than when ! loved, yet left her
in her country home, lest she should 1
dray away my heart from God"
"But YOU had no thought for me Z"
"Dear, you were in all my tho'ts.
/ knew it was best for you, too-best
that you should learn, uninfiuenced
by mere earthly affection 70 choose